HOWTO: nVidia BIOS Flashing - Page 41 - Overclock.net

**Juggalo23451** · 03-11-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigalisk

Hey when flashing a bios, does it flash the bios of both/all three cards if you're in SLI? It should right? Thats what i'm thinking...anyone with this answer?

No you have to flash each card individually. put one card in the 1st slot in, flash it. then repeat the process to the other cards.

10acjed · 03-19-09

I finally got NiBitor 4.9 and was trying to flash my 285 GTX. mvktech has 3 different bios files for the BFG OC model which is what I have, so I figured I would try the rev 03.

I got an error/warning message that the Firmware Device ID and PCI Device ID were different.

It kind of confused me as I would think these cards are the same, with possibly a different bios version for each revision. Could it be different rev cards?

I only tried one bios, so it may be nothing. But figured I would ask around...

I am going to try the OCX bios and see if its any different (aside from clock freq).

Krusher33 · 03-19-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10acjed

I finally got NiBitor 4.9 and was trying to flash my 285 GTX. mvktech has 3 different bios files for the BFG OC model which is what I have, so I figured I would try the rev 03.

I got an error/warning message that the Firmware Device ID and PCI Device ID were different.

It kind of confused me as I would think these cards are the same, with possibly a different bios version for each revision. Could it be different rev cards?

I only tried one bios, so it may be nothing. But figured I would ask around...

I am going to try the OCX bios and see if its any different (aside from clock freq).

Yeah... I got the same message for my BFG 7600 GT OC. Downloaded the revision 3. I had two cards, so I gave it a shot. Completely screwed it up big time when I forced it. Luckily I saved a backup bios but it took a few times to reverse it... blindly. I even had to try my other card to see what steps takes place and how long it took between each one. Finally reversed it and never tried again. I searched and searched on their site for an answer for my dilemna and couldn't find one. Some of the answers on their forumn was quite rude-like to the person who asked, so I never bothered to start a new one.

I know this isn't an answer to your situation, but ugh, decided to share my story of what happened when I forced it after getting that error message.

PizzaMan · 03-19-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10acjed

I finally got NiBitor 4.9 and was trying to flash my 285 GTX. mvktech has 3 different bios files for the BFG OC model which is what I have, so I figured I would try the rev 03.

I got an error/warning message that the Firmware Device ID and PCI Device ID were different.

It kind of confused me as I would think these cards are the same, with possibly a different bios version for each revision. Could it be different rev cards?

I only tried one bios, so it may be nothing. But figured I would ask around...

I am going to try the OCX bios and see if its any different (aside from clock freq).

The warning is normal when changing BIOS revisions. Though, instead of flashing a new BIOS you should just try editing with Nibitor. One of the biggest reasons I suggest just editing is the fact that some companies use different memory which may have different latencies. This could have an advers effect on stability. Sometimes you can get possitive effects from looser latencies and be able to clock your memory higher. All in all you can change latecties with Nibitor so when you get down to it, it's much safer to just edit then flash something new.

I would only suggest downloading other versions if you have lost your original BIOS and are having issues getting you card to work properly.

Just my 2 cents.

10acjed · 03-19-09

Yeah, I decided against forcing it. Bios flashing is fairly simple, and I could see how someone could just assume this was a normal and skip through it....

BTW, the bios is for a BFG 285 GTX OC (my card). mvktech has 3 bios for it, rev 01 - 02 - 03. So I was just thinking 03 was the most recent bios update, but it appears they changed more than just the bios if it doesnt even have the same device ID. I could understand however if it was the OCX version maybe having different bridging for higher voltages.

I was going to go with the original, and just up the clocks. I was just thinking maybe bios updates would help with stability.

I will probably just stick with the trusty old "if it aint broke..." rule for now..... I was just curious as to why the same exact card, manufacture and all, would have different device ID's. Its not like its an old model, it has not even been out 6 months yet.

Krusher33 · 03-19-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10acjed

Yeah, I decided against forcing it. Bios flashing is fairly simple, and I could see how someone could just assume this was a normal and skip through it....

BTW, the bios is for a BFG 285 GTX OC (my card). mvktech has 3 bios for it, rev 01 - 02 - 03. So I was just thinking 03 was the most recent bios update, but it appears they changed more than just the bios if it doesnt even have the same device ID. I could understand however if it was the OCX version maybe having different bridging for higher voltages.

I was going to go with the original, and just up the clocks. I was just thinking maybe bios updates would help with stability.

I will probably just stick with the trusty old "if it aint broke..." rule for now..... I was just curious as to why the same exact card, manufacture and all, would have different device ID's. Its not like its an old model, it has not even been out 6 months yet.

Yeah, I went for it just cause I had another card and didn't mind losing one as I was planning on upgrading someday. But I did find that one of my cards had a later version bios, so I took that one, saved it, and put on the other. Gave me only a few more points in the benchmark, but what the hey, it works, right? So if it ain't broke, don't fix. But I was aiming for an improvement, not fixing...

PizzaMan · 03-19-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10acjed

Yeah, I decided against forcing it. Bios flashing is fairly simple, and I could see how someone could just assume this was a normal and skip through it....

BTW, the bios is for a BFG 285 GTX OC (my card). mvktech has 3 bios for it, rev 01 - 02 - 03. So I was just thinking 03 was the most recent bios update, but it appears they changed more than just the bios if it doesnt even have the same device ID. I could understand however if it was the OCX version maybe having different bridging for higher voltages.

I was going to go with the original, and just up the clocks. I was just thinking maybe bios updates would help with stability.

I will probably just stick with the trusty old "if it aint broke..." rule for now..... I was just curious as to why the same exact card, manufacture and all, would have different device ID's. Its not like its an old model, it has not even been out 6 months yet.

Anytime you change BIOS versions it will warn of a new hardware ID. You could try it, but make sure you have a backup card just in case you need to flash it back. If you need help flashing with multi GPUs installed just let me know it's not to hard.

Freelancer852 · 03-19-09

When it comes to changing around the BIOS for graphics cards is most of the hardware the same on the card? For example, is the hardware on an eVGA GTX 285 FTW edition the same as the regular old eVGA GTX 285?

Zippit · 03-19-09

Is anyone interested in a tutorial on how to flash your BIOS in windows? So you don't need floppies or USB sticks.?

PizzaMan · 03-19-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippit

Is anyone interested in a tutorial on how to flash your BIOS in windows? So you don't need floppies or USB sticks.?

From what I've read it can only be done with G80 and earlier cards.

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HOWTO: nVidia BIOS Flashing

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